WORLD GROOVE

OYSTEIN SEVAG
Global House

Ahh... The joys of sentimental Euro-style melodies dressed up in cool, American jazz threads. Stephan Grappelli built a career out of it a generation or two ago. And on this record from Norway, keyboardist Oystein Sevag and his very fine twelve-wo/man posse (featuring the very nimbly expressive sax of Bendik Hofseth and a recital-grade string quartet) update the tradition, even adding lively funk ("Thundernight") and world beat seasonings to the mix, not to mention New Age sensibilities. I dig the genral contrasts: the smokin' Latin percussion that artfully sets off the dreamy keyboard themes of "Song From the Planet," the languid horns that form a canopy over the gutteral Didjeridoo groove in "Global House." Despite these bold contrasts, the musical terrain is familiar enough that you'll be humming along with the charming melodies and bopping to the beat the first time you hear it. And the twenty-first time. This is solid, beautiful music that keeps you coming back for more.